PELYCANO study – impact of pesticide exposure in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

The REALYSA study aims to improve knowledge about lymphoma and the lives of patients with lymphoma. Thanks to the large number of patients involved, many research projects on specific research questions can be conducted. One of these projects, called PELYCANO, involves patients who have diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Why is the PELYCANO study being implemented?

Evidence suggests a link between pesticide exposure and the occurrence of various hematological malignancies such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Studying this link is one objective of REALYSA. This is why some patients participating in REALYSA are asked to answer a questionnaire on the products to which they may have been exposed during their lifetime. Based on this questionnaire, the PELYCANO study is designed to analyze the links between pesticide exposure and lymphoma and the effectiveness of treatments.

What are the objectives of the PELYCANO study?

The study focuses on patients participating in REALYSA who have diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and who have been exposed to pesticides during their lifetime. It aims to identify the biological mechanisms by which pesticides are involved in the occurrence of lymphoma.  The study also aims to see if pesticide exposure has an influence on the effectiveness of lymphoma treatments, by comparing the effectiveness of treatments among patients exposed to pesticides versus patients not exposed to pesticides during their lifetime.

The PELYCANO study involves different research disciplines: epidemiology, biology, toxicology and animal health. This will allow for a comprehensive approach to the impact of pesticides on human and animal health.

How will the PELYCANO study be carried out?

The PELYCANO study will be based on the analysis of data from questionnaires completed by patients participating in REALYSA.  Tumor samples already collected will also be analyzed.

The identity of patients will not be retrieved as data is anonymized.

This study is carried out by 6 research teams working in collaboration:  EPICENE in Bordeaux, the Hospices Civils de Lyon, the LYSARC, the Institute of Human Genetics of Montpellier, the Bergonié Institute in Bordeaux, VetAgroSup in Lyon.

The study is coordinated by Sandra Le Guyader-Peyrou (EPICENE in Bordeaux).

It is financially supported by the French Office for Biodiversity.

The study will take place over 3 years, from 2023 to 2025.

TO THE ATTENTION OF PATIENTS PARTICIPATING IN REALYSA

What does this study mean for you?

This study involves patients participating in REALYSA who developed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and who responded to epidemiological questionnaires at baseline.

If you are in this situation and you agree with the reuse of your data for this study, there is no direct implication for you.

In particular, you will not be asked to fill in any additional questionnaire compared to what is already planned as part of your participation in REALYSA. You will also not have additional biological samples compared to what is planned during your care.

What should you do about this study?

There are two options:

  • You are not opposed to the use of your data and biological samples in the context of the study:

In this case, you don’t have to do anything.

  • You wish to object to the use of your data or biological samples in the context of the study:

In this case, please inform the doctor who invited you to participate to the REALYSA study. You can also notify your decision by writing an email to the following address: dpo@lysarc.org.

You will find detailed information about your rights to object to the use of your data on page 12 of the information provided to you when you agreed to participate in REALYSA.